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A Northern California vacation just isn't complete without a
visit to the Shastas – Shasta Lake and Mt.
Shasta. No matter what you're into – golf, boating, spirituality
– the Shastas won't disappoint.
Mt.
Shasta
Located approximately 208 miles north of Sacramento,
Mt. Shasta
is a 14,179-foot volcano, the second-highest peak in the Cascade
Range. Yeah, it’s big. And beautiful. And, some claim, home to a vortex which
attracts “New Age" types. A drive down Mt.
Shasta Blvd. in Mt. Shasta City reveals a vast array of spiritual
shops and assorted healers. You can buy
singing bowls and tuning forks, divination tools, yoga supplies, vibrational
sprays and magical jewelry. You can also
find all types of spiritual healers, such as those offering psychic
hypnotherapy, reflexology, Reiki and energy work, vibrational healing and
massage. If you’re into mineral baths,
you can drive a few minutes north of Mt.
Shasta City
to Weed, where you’ll find therapeutic mineral baths at Stewart Mineral Springs.
Those of you wishing to take vortex tours are definitely in
luck, as there are numerous guided tours to choose from, including Shasta
Vortex Adventures, which offers
Mt. Shasta Guided Tours
all year round. You can choose from
guided hikes, healing earth journeys, bus tours and winter outings, such as
snowshoe, cross country or telemark ski outings. Call them at 530-926-4326 for more
information.
Skiers
will delight in skiing Mt. Shasta at the Mt. Shasta Ski Park,
where you’ll find 31 trails on 425 acres of skiable terrain. Night skiing is also provided on 14 trails
and 3 lifts. The terrain level of
difficulty is 20% beginner, 55% intermediate, and 25% advanced. There is also a cross country ski and
snowshoe center for those wishing something other than downhill skiing. And for beginners, the ski park offers ski,
snowboarding and telemark lessons.
If
golf is your passion, you'll be more than satisfied with Mount Shasta Resort,
home to a 6,035-yard par 70, 18-hole championship golf course, as well as
luxurious cabins and a day spa, where you can get pampered with Swedish
massage, deep tissue massage, as well as aromatherapy.
Lake
Shasta
Maybe
you're more the boating type. If so,
you'll want to head 50 miles south of Mt.
Shasta to Shasta
Lake, the second largest lake in California after Lake Tahoe. Shasta
Lake is a very popular destination
for boating, water-skiing, camping, and fishing. They also claim to be the houseboating and
wakeboarding Capital of the World, with a wakeboarding school to get you
started.
Shasta Lake
is also home to the Lake Shasta Caverns, which is open all year round. In order to view the underground caverns,
visitors are taken on a 15-minute catamaran cruise across Lake Shasta, where
they then board a bus which carries them up a mountainside, more than 800 feet
above the lake, where the caves are accessible.
All this for only $20; $12 for those 3 to 15. Call 1-800-795-CAVE for more
information.
For
a real treat stay at Coram Ranch, built on the location of an abandoned mining
town, next to Shasta Lake on the Sacramento River. Many activities are offered, including
horseback riding and mountain biking, swimming and fishing, with outstanding
fishing within walking distance from your cabin.
Shari Hearn is a writer and creator of Boating Vacations and Top Vacation Spots
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